Getting Started: Becoming an Assisted Living Manager in the State of Texas
What qualifications do Texas regulations require of an Assisted Living Manager?
In small communities (defined by the state as facilities with 16 beds and less), the manager must have proof of graduation from an accredited high school or certification of equivalency of graduation.
In large communities (defined by the state as facilities with 17 beds and more), a manager must have:
- An associate's degree in nursing, health care management, or a related field;
- A bachelor's degree; or
- Proof of graduation from an accredited high school or certification of equivalency of graduation and at least one year of experience working in management or in health care industry management.
In an Alzheimer's Certified community, the manager must be 21 years of age, and have:
- An associate's degree in nursing, health care management;
- A bachelor's degree in psychology, gerontology, nursing, or a related field; or
- Proof of graduation from an accredited high school or certification of equivalency of graduation and at least one year of experience working with persons with dementia.
In addition to these qualifications a manager must take the 24-hour AL managers course and maintain annual continuing education hours.
24-Hour Assisted Living Manager's Course
The required 24-Hour AL Manager's course has two portions:
- Part 1: 8 hours of Texas Regulations (Required within the first 90 days of hire)
- Part 2: 16 hours of Administrative Overview (Required within the first year of hire)
*Please note: Texas does not mandate licensing or certification to be an Assisted Living Manager, however, you must provide evidence you completed the required training.
What continuing education hours do assisted living managers need?
An assisted living manager needs 12 hours of continuing education every year. The requirement starts after your first year of employment. Also, after your first year of employment, you need to take an annual HHSC required one hour training on aging in place and retaliation.
The continuing education requirement must include at least two of the following areas:
- resident and provider rights and responsibilities, abuse and neglect, and confidentiality;
- basic principles of management;
- skills for working with residents, families, and other professional service providers;
- resident characteristics and needs;
- community resources;
- accounting and budgeting;
- basic emergency first aid; or
- federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; and the Fair Housing Act, as amended.
If you manage an Alzheimer Certified community or unit, you need an additional 6 hours of dementia specific continuing education.
Learn Better through Videos? See the below video explanation of the requirements to becoming an Assisted Living Manager in Texas.
Title 26, Chapter 553, SUBCHAPTER E STANDARDS FOR LICENSURE, §553.253 Employee Qualifications and Training and §553.259 Admission Policies and Procedures;
SUBCHAPTER F ADDITIIONAL STANDARDS FOR CERTIFIED ALZHEIMER’S ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, §553.301 Manager Qualifications and Training